The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued the opinion on its 4-3 ruling to invalidate state Senate and House redistricting maps on the eve of the 2012 elections. An order issued January 25 by the Court said current district lines adopted in 2001 will remain in effect until a new plan “having the force of law” is approved.
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A public survey on integrity in government – the first of its kind – commissioned by Democracy Rising PA reveals widespread support to reform Pennsylvania’s campaign finance rules. Read More
Philadelphia City Council will hold a full meeting on Thursday, February 9 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 400 City Hall. Several resolutions, but no bills, are on the calendar for final passage. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Read the complete update here. Read More
Michael Schwartz, a member of Board of Directors of the Committee of Seventy and co-chair of the Ethics Subcommittee, delivered testimony on February 2 before the Senate Democratic Policy Committee urging Pennsylvania to adopt limits on campaign contributions from individuals and political action committees. Read More
Following the January 31 deadline for Philadelphia elected officials to file campaign finance reports with the Board of Ethics, the Committee of Seventy uses its HOW PHILLY WORKS series to explain what these reports can tell you – and what they can’t – about your city. Read More
Philadelphia City Council will conduct a full session on Thursday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 400 City Hall. City Council has no other scheduled events in the upcoming week. Council voted on one piece of legislation at its first weekly session held Thursday, January 26, containing internal rules for the upcoming term. Read More
At the first meeting of Philadelphia City Council for the 2012 - 2015 term, President Darrell Clarke announced new procedures to enforce Council’s public comment rules. Read this latest edition Seventy’s "How Philly Works" series to learn how this enforcement will impact how you interact with City Council. Read More
We gave you Seventy's neutral take on Councilmanic Prerogative last week, now its your turn. This edition of How Philly Works answers the questions the readers are asking us ...What is Councilmanic Prerogative? Where does it come from? What does the future hold? Read this How Philly Works for a more in-depth look at this important city issue. Read More
After SRC Chair Pedro Ramos called the scope of the School District’s financial crisis ($61 million must be cut by June) “unprecedented in my adult lifetime,” the SRC overhauled the top leadership of the public schools. Former Philadelphia Gas Works CEO Thomas Knudsen will become the Chief Recovery Officer, with the District’s Former Chief Financial Officer Michael Masch now reporting to him as a “Special Adviser.” Former Acting Superintendent Leroy Nunery also becomes a “Special Adviser.” Read More
Just one week after taking office, Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams issued an executive order banning employees from bidding on foreclosed properties auctioned off at sheriff’s sales, the latest in a string of reforms he says will make the office more transparent and accountable. In another move, 17 non-civil service patronage employees were let go by Acting Sheriff Barbara Deeley just days before Williams took office at the start of the year. Read More